The Gonski Report is right on the money when it recommends funding for each student according to educational need, instead of funding schools.
Professors Annette Patterson and Nan Bahr from Queensland University of Technology's Faculty of Education have welcomed the Report's attention to addressing educational disadvantage.
"The shift from funding schools to funding all students, irrespective of the school they attend, and the addition of a loading for students who meet specific equity criteria should assist schools to provide targeted support for students most in need of additional resources," Professor Patterson said.
"Increased autonomy for schools combined with appropriate accountability measures should assist schools to better meet educational goals."
She said QUT academics had a proven track record for initiatives to address educational disadvantage including ones which emphasised quality teaching.
"We have worked closely with several successful National Partnership schools (schools with extra support for students in disadvantaged areas) and the Gonski Report acknowledged the success of this approach.
"We note the report focuses on teacher quality and we fully support the Report's recommendation that incentives be provided to attract talented teachers to disadvantaged schools.
"We have evidence such as incentive programs work to attract high-performing teachers through programmes such as QUT's Exceptional Teachers for Disadvantaged Schools project, now in its second year.
"This project is supported by the Queensland Department of Education and Training and involves recruitment of second-year teacher education students at QUT who take part in a tailored program that prepares them specifically for teaching disadvantaged students.
"The Report's recommendation seven contains many elements already embodied in this program."
Professor Bahr said the Report's ethos of equity struck a chord with the initiatives QUT's Faculty of Education was undertaking to ensure the best possible education for every child irrespective of family background, location or size of school attended.
"We look forward to the government's response and to any opportunities to work more closely with schools for the improvement of quality learning outcomes for all students."
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Media contact: Niki Widdowson, QUT media officer, 07 3138 2999, n.widdowson@qut.edu.au.
